Cancer Care
Cancer Services
At Ingalls, our comprehensive cancer services include:
Cancer Research Center
New ways of fighting cancer are being discovered daily, and through research studies offered at Ingalls, emerging science is being translated into clinical practice where our patients have access to the most advanced, innovative treatments available anywhere in the world.
Ingalls' Cancer Research Center is nationally and internationally recognized for outstanding research. Our program affiliates with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago and participates in multiple phases of cancer research (Phase I-IV) across the many disease sites at different stages of disease. Ingalls was selected as a Center of Excellence through the Hoosier Oncology Group, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Recently, we received the designation as a Minority Based Community Clinical Oncology Program to provide greater access to clinical trials for underserved communities.
Ingalls' groundbreaking research has resulted in major cancer publications with nationally recognized cancer centers such as MD Anderson, Fox Chase, Cornell University, and Memorial-Sloan Kettering. What's more, our medical director of Oncology Services serves as the national advisor for many ongoing research studies.
To learn more about cancer clinical trials at Ingalls, call our dedicated Cancer Research Center hotline at 708-915-HOPE (4673).
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Cancer care close to home
Ingalls is home to the first freestanding cancer care center in Illinois - the Ingalls Cancer Care Center in Tinley Park. This center offers the most advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities in a comfortable, convenient setting close to where many of our patients live and work. Patients can receive the latest diagnostic treatments and excellent supportive care.
On-site technologies include all of those available at our main campus in Harvey, plus on this campus, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, high-field MRI, 16-slice PET/CT scanner, nuclear scanners and other high-tech diagnostics.
Our patients also have access to minimally invasive interventional cancer treatments; multidisciplinary teams for consultation and treatment; dedicated outpatient and in-home rehabilitation and therapy services; and hospice care available in your home or in the hospital.
This state-of-the-art facility also offers the Richard K. Desser, M.D., Comprehensive Breast Center, for the most complete breast care anywhere in the South Suburbs. The Ingalls Desser Center offers a team of caring medical professionals whose only concern is providing private, state-of-the-art, individualized care for women with breast health issues - in one convenient location. When needed, you can receive the professional opinion of a surgeon, radiologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist and a plastic surgeon. These dedicated physicians care for you at any stage of breast health. Whether you need a mammogram, a biopsy of a suspicious lump, or treatment for breast cancer, our team is standing by. What's more, every patient receives the expert guidance of our specially trained breast health nurse navigator who answers questions, educates and assists patients in every aspect of their care - from diagnosis through treatment.
The Desser Center team also includes experienced, specially trained radiologists who understand your particular concerns, and have passed stringent standards for performing and interpreting mammograms, ultrasound, MRI and other diagnostic tests.
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Lungs for Life
Lungs for Life is the area's first lung cancer early detection program. Lung cancer kills more Americans every year than any other type of cancer, including breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. The reason: it's nearly impossible to detect until the disease is advanced. But cancer experts at Ingalls are hoping to increase patient survival of this devastating disease through an innovative new screening program designed to detect lung cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most curable.
The first of its kind in the south suburbs, Lungs for Life is a lung cancer screening and early detection program that uses sophisticated spiral CT scanning to detect cancerous lung tumors as small as a grain of rice - when the tumor is still highly responsive to treatment.
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Nurse navigators by your side
We're helping to make life easier for our cancer patients through our innovative Nurse Navigator Program. Individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, lung cancer and other cancers, as well as patients undergoing radiation therapy, receive the invaluable assistance of specially trained oncology nurses every step of the way.
It's like having a personal guide to lead you or a loved one through one of the most difficult times of your life. From the moment you enter our cancer program - until your treatment is complete - one of our nurse navigators is at your side, or available by phone, to answer questions, help explain test results or medications, schedule appointments, coordinate treatments . . . or just listen.
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Latest technology
At Ingalls, you have the best of both worlds: the comfort and convenience of a community hospital setting and the advanced cancer technology of a university-affiliated medical center. From diagnosis through treatment, Ingalls is armed with the most powerful cancer technology available in the south suburbs, including IMRT, IGRT, PET/CT scanning, and a host of minimally invasive cancer therapies.
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Surgical oncology
Surgery is often the first line of attack in the battle against some cancers. At Ingalls, our board-certified, specially trained surgeons, including a dedicated surgical oncologist, offer a full range of surgical services for the diagnosis and treatment of many types of cancer including, breast, bladder, colorectal, gynecologic, lung, brain, prostate, kidney and thyroid. Advances in surgical techniques, like those available at Ingalls, include minimally invasive procedures that remove tumors while preserving as much normal function as possible.
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Reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment
Reconstructive surgery is available for a host of cancer treatments and surgeries, including breast reconstruction following mastectomy; skin grafting following skin cancer removal; and much more. Our team of experts consists of board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons who help restore hope and healing to patients following cancer treatment.
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Sophisticated genetic counseling
Through a partnership with the University of Chicago Hospitals and their Cancer Risk Clinic, Ingalls offers a genetic counseling program to help individuals evaluate their personal risk of developing cancer and take steps now to prevent it.
Genetic tests are available for some hereditary forms of cancer. In cases where tests are not yet available, blood may be obtained from selected family members and stored for future analysis. No matter what your history or level of risk, our genetic experts can help you get the most out of life.
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Comprehensive infusion services
Through the Ingalls Ambulatory Infusion Center located at our main hospital campus in Harvey, we offer comprehensive infusion therapies for a wide variety of patients, including patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. All infusion treatments are given by our specially trained infusion nurses in a comfortable setting, complete with recliner chairs, televisions, headphones and more.
Ingalls Ambulatory Infusion Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on weekends and holidays by appointment. The center can accommodate up to 10 patients at once.
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Collaborative cancer support
Thanks to a unique collaboration between the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center in Homewood and Ingalls Health System, a new Cancer Support Center is now open in Mokena. Located at 19250 Everett Lane, the center offers a multi-faceted approach to cancer care that was designed by licensed clinical therapists from the Cancer Support Center and cancer experts from Ingalls.
Cancer patients and their loved ones can choose from a variety of professionally designed programs, including a resource library; cancer prevention, screenings and education; individual and family counseling and guidance; exercise and wellness programs; stress management; expressive arts; nutrition classes; social events; support groups; and grief support. Screenings and educational programs are made possible by the Richard K. Desser, M.D., Fund and are presented by experts from Ingalls and the Cancer Support Center.
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